My blog is mostly about wildlife, particularly birds, walking, days out, all growing things and anything else that comes to mind.

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Monday, 13 April 2009

A great day's birding!

Had a great day out today with Pete visiting three of his local patches. We started out in Hatfield Forest where the skies were grey and the rain that eventually fell, was wet!

However, as Swallows (three) and Great Grested Grebes (6 of them) greeted us, the dullness was lightened a little.We met a very helpful chappie who was a Wildlife Trust Volunteer and he very kindly showed us where the Tawny Owl was. It would have been very difficult to find it without his help.

From there we went on to Rye Meads (RSPB) where Sedge Warblers abounded. This one showed itself briefly but it was lovely to hear their song.A mallard was having a bathand from one of the hides a Reed Bunting was observed having a meal.Grass staying still on a windless dayA choice then of going to Knebworth House ( I haven't been) or Amwell. Well we were having so much luck with the birds today that we headed off for Amwell after a quick lunch at a local pub.

LapwingMute SwanCanada Goose - bathing"Ooh - what's that up there" "Is it the sun?"The sun eventually broke through and it was lovely to feel its warmth on your back. Not so many pics today but saw a great many birds. The list will follow on another post!

Great to see the Tawny Owl photo. Yes, apparently they are very hard to spot when in day roost. Nice Sedge Warbler photo too. I saw a Chiffchaff on my last nature reserve visit which I have just posted on. Many of the warblers are similar and its often a job to be sure of their ID

Sounds like yet again another lovely day out, I particularly liked the Tawny, we have a pair who often keep us awake at night but we've never caught sight of them. We just hear the constant twoo whit followed always by the twoo whoo!! We would just love to catch sight of them!!Jayne

About Me

A lover of wildlife and birds in particular and a keen photographer
who's learning all the time!
For me there's nothing better than the great outdoors and escaping into
it as often as I can; even if it's only a walk very locally. I love the
sea and water in any form. There's something magical about reflections
in very still water.